OPERATORS in the Scottish trade are being encouraged to make sure their voices are heard as the Scottish Government launches a new consultation on the tourist tax.
Ministers today (Monday September 9) launched a consultation asking for input that will help inform its upcoming transient visitor levy legislation.
The law will set out the powers that will allow local authorities to introduce a transient visitor levy, or tourist tax, in their areas.
The Scottish Government website says the consultation aims to ensure any legislation: “supports the continuing success of the tourism industry in Scotland; provides the powers that are needed for local authorities to respond to local pressures; minimises the administrative and compliance burdens for those affected”.
The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) has encouraged operators to participate in the consultation, which runs until December 2.
STA chief executive, Marc Crothall, said the organisation “will urge our members, the wider industry and others who benefit from tourism activity to share their views on shaping the framework for the introduction of this tax”.
He added that the STA remains “opposed to any form of additional tax on Scotland’s international and domestic visitors”.
The consultation can be found at the Scottish Government website here.
